Barcelona have now moved top of the table after a hard-fought 2-1 win over Rayo Vallecano. The Catalans struggled as the hosts took an early lead through midfielder Unai Lopez in the ninth minute, but the Blaugrana came back in the second half thanks to Dani Olmo’s creativity and Pedri’s inspiration.

Pedri’s impressive start to the season

Barcelona were worried when the 21-year-old midfielder suffered an injury in July. During the Euros, Pedri sprained his left knee, but he recovered in time to play in the new La Liga season. Pedri played 26 minutes against Valencia, started against Athletic Club and started again against Rayo.

Pedri played well against Vallecano.

Against Vallecano, Pedri was the one who scored the equalizer for Barcelona after an excellent individual move: he took a touch and finished with his left foot that goalkeeper Cardenas could not save.

Despite being tackled by Pathe Ciss and forced off in the 90+1 minute to make way for Fermin Lopez, Pedri still had a very good performance in Vallecas with the third highest rating on the pitch from Whoscored (7.8), only behind Olmo (8.1) and Yamal (8.4). In the return match of last season against Rayo, he also scored two goals.

Dangerous decision from Hansi Flick

Gerard Martin, the 22-year-old left-back, is making his Vallecas debut. He made his debut in the opening game of the season against Valencia, playing 26 minutes and featured briefly against Athletic. However, Hansi Flick rested Balde against Rayo, leaving Gerard Martin as the only change to the line-up.

Flick chooses Martin to replace Balde.

Martin joined Barcelona in the summer of 2023, a personal choice of the German coach. Gerard was never called up by Xavi last season, despite being a key player in Rafael Marquez’s Barcelona B squad, missing only one match through suspension.

Flick’s choice of Gerard was one of his gifts to the Barcelona fans. However, it was not an easy match for the Catalan. Martin struggled against De Frutos, with most of the home team’s attacks directed towards his area.

Transfer message

Barcelona have a challenge and priority this season to improve their defence compared to last season, when they conceded 44 goals. And they have not achieved that yet. Ter Stegen has had to pick the ball out of the net in each of his first three games of the season: Hugo Duro (Valencia), Sancet (Athletic) and Unai Lopez (Rayo) have all scored against him.

Stegen had to pick the ball out of the net repeatedly.

Coach Hansi Flick is aware of the need to strengthen his defence and if Barcelona’s financial situation improves, the club could make a new signing before the transfer window closes next Saturday in the centre-back position.

Dani Olmo changes the game

The midfielder from Terrassa made his Barcelona first-team debut at Vallecas, replacing Ferran Torres at half-time. Olmo left the club in 2014 while playing for Juvenil B and has been keen to return ever since. He fulfilled his wish to return to the Blaugrana this summer.

After overcoming contract issues due to the club’s over-wage bill, which kept him out of action until round three of La Liga, Dani Olmo finally got to play.

Olmo made an immediate impact.

He has added options up front, as well as composure and agility to Barcelona’s play, linking the lines and finishing with confidence. Olmo could have even scored twice against Vallecano had the ball not hit the post. A timely addition that has changed the game for Hansi Flick’s side at Vallecas.

Dangerous land for Barcelona

Despite the warnings, the Catalans struggled in the opening minutes of their match against Rayo, travelling to the Vallecas Stadium with the knowledge that their recent away trips have been unsuccessful, with two defeats and a draw.

Vallecas is still a difficult place to go to for Barcelona.

In this encounter, Barcelona once again struggled in the first half to match the intensity, tempo, style of play and pressure from Inigo Perez’s players. In the second half, with the introduction of Olmo in the 46th minute, the team’s creativity changed: the Blaugrana woke up and started to enjoy the game. They finally won a deserved victory, overcoming the danger zone in the 82nd minute.